Lust in Space

The lovesick antics of diapered astronaut Lisa Nowak are some combination of funny and sad but seemingly not revealing of anything larger, until you realize that her tragic, tabloidy breakdown says everything you need to know about NASA’s many troubles.

by S. C. Gwynne

Carlos Brown Is a Hero (No Matter What He Says)

My best friend from high school is no longer the uncool, baseball-card-collecting goofball he once was. He’s a Navy surgeon and commander, and for two horrific weeks I got to watch him calmly and bravely save lives in wartime—not just Americans’ and not just soldiers’—in one of the most dangerous cities in Iraq.

by John Spong

Made in America

A generation after he crossed the border to work for my family, Vicente Martinez is the foreman of a ranch in the Hill Country, not far from his kids and grandkids. And yes, they all have their papers. This is an immigration story with a happy ending.

by Robert Draper

Sins of Commission

There are plenty of people to blame for the latest shock-inducing juvenile corrections scandal, beginning with the so-called reformers who didn’t heed the lessons of the last one.

by Nate Blakeslee

My Dog Days

What I’ve learned from Moe, Oscar, Flannery, George, Odette, and Roscoe.

by Antonya Nelson

Abraham Verghese

None-A-Day

The argument in favor of vitamins goes like this: “Don’t ask us why or how they work. We know. Have faith.” Well, I don’t.

Behind the Lines

A Bronx Tale

Ruth. Gehrig. Mantle. Jeter. Ohlendorf? All of Austin, and Texas, is waiting to see if one of the newest New York Yankees earns his ’stripes.

by Paul Burka

Letter from San Antonio

The Good Wife

Mary Alice Cisneros loved, honored, and cherished Henry’s political career. Now it’s her turn.

by Jan Jarboe Russell

Sarah Bird

Lark of The Covenant

Bill Zedler’s plan to keep me married—forever.

Buy This Now

If the Shoe Fits …

If the alpargata fits …

by Amy Prince

Music Review

From the Cradle to the Grave

Reviewed by Jeff McCord

Music Review

Woke on a Whaleheart

Reviewed by Jeff McCord

Music Review

Red Dog Blues

Reviewed by Jeff McCord

Cojones

Catherine Rohr

A pro at helping cons.

by Katy Vine

Faith Bases

Turkish Cultural Center

William Martin reviews our places of worship.

by William Martin

FAQ

Make That A Double

Send in the clones.

by Brian D. Sweany

Go

Going for the Old

In with the old.

by Suzy Banks

Hollywood, TX

Arousing Success

A slasher flick to die for.

by Christopher Kelly

Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch

There’s no May sale.

The weather report.

by Tonnyre Thomas Joe

Texas Monthly Talks

Rick Perry

Rick Perry explains himself.

Interview by Evan Smith

The Horse’s Mouth

Training for An Ironman

Desirée Ficker on training for an Ironman.

Interview by Katharyn Rodemann

Topic A

The Great Undoing

Impressions of the session.

by Paul Burka

Pat’s Pick

Silo Elevated Cuisine

by Patricia Sharpe

Editor’s Letter

A M*A*S*H Note

by Evan Smith

Roar of the Crowd

Beating Around the Bush

Contributors

Jeff Minton. Antonya Nelson, and Robert Draper

Family Politics

Writer-at-large Jan Jarboe Russell on talking to Mary Alice Cisneros about politics.

Interview by Emmet Sullivan

Extreme Barbecue: Smokin’ Rigs and Real Food Recipes

Reviewed by Victoria Rossi

Being There: Ramadi

A slide show of senior editor John Spong’s images from his recent trip to Iraq provides a window into war- torn life in Ramadi. He talks about his experiences there, from watching his friend Carlos Brown operate to seeing the casualties of war.

Crusted Beef Tenderloin